Sunday, March 10, 2013

Kenny Rogers Roasters @ Great World City

IMG_8886ed
Rotisserie Chicken 4/5

The last time I visit Kenny Rogers Roasters was probably more than ten years back at the Suntec City branch. I still remember back then it was self service, one needed to order and pay at the counter before proceeding down the line to collect the food. Service has since changed. Your order is now taken by the waiter/waitress and the food is being served to you.

My partner and I ordered the Lucille ($41.90) which comes with half rotisserie chicken, half slab of honey bourbon ribs and a choice of 3 regular side dishes. The Rotisserie Chicken was surprisingly better some restaurants I have tried. The rotisserie chicken was roasted to perfection, the meat was juicy and tender.

IMG_8885ed
Honey Bourbon Ribs 4/5

The fell off the bone Honey Bourbon Ribs was simply finger licking good. The tender meat with the beautiful sauce worked in harmony for one of the better ribs I have eaten.

IMG_8890ed
Potato Salad 3.5/5

IMG_8891ed
Macaroni & Cheese 4/5 and Coleslaw 3/5

Kenny Rogers Roasters has 14 different sides dishes on the menu categorized under hot and cold sides. For our choices of 3 sides, we opted for the Potato Salad, Macaroni & Cheese and Coleslaw. Among the three, my favourite was the macaroni & cheese. Not because it was the best but the potato salad was over dressed with mayonnaise while I didn't enjoy the onions in the coleslaw.

IMG_8892ed
Corn Muffin 4/5

Besides the signature rotisserie chicken at Kenny Rogers Roasters, the other memory I have is the Corn Muffin. Upon taking our orders, complimentary corn muffin was served. It definitely didn't disappoint me and it was still as good as before.

Kenny Rogers Roasters has been around for more than 20 years and it just showed that they are still dishing out delectable food to their customers. Furthermore, the value for money pricing is a welcome venue for budget seeker, big families and friends gathering.


Kenny Rogers Roasters
Great World City
1 Kim Seng Promenade
#01-06/20
Singapore 237994
Website: http://www.kennyrogersroasters.com/abt_tb.shtml
Tel: +65 67349492
Nearest MRT: Outram Park (NE Line, EW Line), Somerset (NS Line), Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 930pm
Sat: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Somerset MRT station (Stop ID B08121). Take bus number 16 or 175. Alight 6 bus stops later. Journey time about 10 minutes.

2) Alight at Outram MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to bus stop opposite Outram MRT station. (Stop ID B06011). Take bus number 75 or 970. Alight 5 stops later. Walk to Great World City. Journey time about 12 minutes.

3) Alight at Tiong Bahru MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to bus stop at Tiong Bahru MRT station (Stop ID 10169). Take bus number 5, 16 or 195. Alight 4 stops later. Walk to destination. Journey time about 15 minutes.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Bari Uma Ramen @ Tanglin Shopping Centre

IMG_0131ed

Another ramen brand in Japan has ventured offshore with its first oversea establishment at Singapore. Originated from Hiroshima Japan with over 40 stalls, Bari Uma Ramen is proud of their super rich tonkotsu broth, Saikyo Nokou (最強濃厚) which is the characteristic of their noodles.

IMG_0132ed

IMG_0134ed

Not to be mistaken with Uma Uma Ramen at Forum Shopping Centre, the 2 month's old (opened in Dec 2012) Bari Uma Ramen is located at a more quiet corner at Tanglin Shopping Centre in between Orchard Parade Hotel and St Regis. Many have given good reviews for the ramen ranking them among the popular establishments such as Keisuke Tonkatsu King and Menya Mushashi.

IMG_0140ed
Shoyu Uma 4.2/5

I am not a big fan of rich greasy ramen broth so I opt for the Shoyu Uma ($13.50). The bowl of ramen may look simple yet each sip of the fragrant shoyu broth was truly an enjoyment. Besides the broth, the other highlight at Bari Uma is their wheat flour noodles. The noodle is thicker with a firmer and springier texture.

IMG_0142ed
Miso Uma 3.8/5

The Miso Uma ($16) which comes with only diced flamed charshu and corns seem rather expensive compared to the other ramen which comes with thick cut flamed charshu. It was a decent bowl of miso broth but it just gave the feeling of being short changed with the pricing.

IMG_0144ed
Kara Uma 3.5/5

This is probably the most spicy Kara Uma ($16) I have ever tried. According to the restaurant, it is spicier than what is served in Japan to suit the local taste and love for spiciness.

IMG_0146ed
Aji Tama Uma 4.5/5

The hot seller at Bari Uma is the Aji Tama Uma ($15). The broth was really very rich and robust but it did not give the feeling of being too complex in flavours. For just a mere $15, this is value for money with its rich flavours, thick cut flamed pork belly and ajitama. My only concern is the layer of artery clogging oil floating on the surface of the soup when it was left to cool.

IMG_0151ed
Gyoza 3/5

Besides the ramen, Bari Uma also offers a few side dishes on their menu. The Gyoza (5pc for $6.50) was nice but not memorable. The thin gyoza skin was pan fried to a nice crisp but the filling was rather unnoticeable and pedestrian.

IMG_0150ed
Aburi Charshu 4.5/5

The other star of Bari Uma has to be the Aburi Charshu ($9). The thick slices of charshu were grilled to perfection that simply melted in the mouth. It was so good that we ordered another plate of it.

IMG_0155ed
Yakitori Combo 3/5

The Yakitori Combo (5 sticks at $14.80) comes with a selection of Tori-niku (chicken thigh), Negima (chicken thigh and leeks), Butabara (pork belly), Sasmi (chicken breast) and Sunazuri (gizzards). Among the 5, my favourite was the butabara.

Bari Uma maybe the new kid on the block but its ramen has already received many good reviews and I concurred that after trying out their ramen. Just like their slogan Saikyo Nokou (最強濃厚), the broth is indeed very rich, mellow and smooth. The excellent bowl of richness should be proud of themselves standing tall among the competitions in the ramen scene.


Bari Uma Ramen
Tangling Shopping Centre
19 Tanglin Road
#B1-01/02
Singapore 247909
Tel: +65 68874484
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bariuma-tanglin/436908073043379
Website: http://www.with-link.co.jp/eng/index.html
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit E. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Continue onwards to Forum Shopping Mall. Walk further down to Orchard Parade Hotel. Turn left onto Tanglin Road. Tanglin Shopping Centre is just beside Orchard Parade Hotel. Journey time about 15 minutes.